Well I'm certified, now what?

R

ReduxFlyer

Filing Flight Plan
Joined
Jun 27, 2020
Messages
2
Display Name
Display name:
ReduxFlyer
I'll start this off by saying thank you to the entire Pilots Of America community, you've all helped me through a lot of the hurdles and frustrations of flight training. I've been reading threads on here for the better part of 6 months, but as a student I never really felt like I could post under the title of "pilot". Now, after what seemed like an eternity of testing, retesting, and testing again, I finally have that little sheet of paper that allows me to legally operate an aircraft (under VFR conditions). The question naturally follows, now what? I'm a pilot in my early 20's, living in southern California, so the budget doesn't quite allow for a plane purchase any time soon. My plan in the short term is to rent form the flight school to maintain currency, however availability is sparse and currency is a far cry from proficiency. The long term plan is joining a flight club, however the club at my local field has quite the lengthy waitlist. Curious to hear how those of you who aren't owner/operators have managed to stay in the air consistently.
 
Start your own club/partnership and fly for cheap.
Buy a cheap plane to operate (maybe a light sport)
Use autogas.
Keep it outside (no hangar fees)
You could easily have a plane for $50/hr wet.
 
First.....Congratulations!

I couldn't have started this hobby without my flying club. The aircraft access and the support have been invaluable. If there's a waiting list for the club, there might be sufficient demand to start another. EAA and AOPA both offer support to start flying clubs. It would be a lot of work, but probably worth it long term. My understand of SoCal though is that there's a lot of clubs... the biggest ones in the country are located there, so there's got to be something, although I also can understand not wanting to drive.
 
Congrats. Go fly. Take trips and expand your horizon. Then you will want a plane of your own...:) that's what happened to me. Taking trips with a rental is a pain. But first of all, enjoy your flight privileges.
 
now u get to tell cute flight attendants about how you're a pilot and how u can help in the cockpit if the pilots need you.
 
Congratulations on completing your check ride. If you want to stay in the air, my advice would be to keep renting for now simply because doing so will mean more time spent in the airport environment. And while your spending time in that environment, keep an eye out for networking opportunities. Let it be known that you're looking for cheaper flying options.

Partnerships happen. New flying clubs happen. Existing flying clubs find ways to 'rearrange' the waiting list. Being around the airport gets you in contact with people who are involved and also the people who know the people who are involved.

Also consider things like local EAA chapters and Civil Air Patrol. Participating with organizations like those can get you acquainted with people you otherwise may never meet and you never know when a handful of them might want to buy a 172 or some sort of LSA together and form a small club with it.
 
Our club has 4 planes and about 107 members. VFR 172 $80 hour wet. IFR $172 $90. VFR 170 tail dragger $90. 182 is $110.

Cheap planes, grass strip in a metro area.

I'm not bragging on my club. I'm trying to show you what can be done. With effort you could start a club with a 150-152 and grow from there. As mentioned AOPA and EAA have lots of resources to help and to get you started.

I'm sorry you live in California, it will be harder and more expensive for you, and already has been. You probably do have more flyable weather... But, with waiting lists for clubs... That may be a wash...

Do all you can to stay current.

Good luck! And welcome to the ranks!

fly to the scene of the incident, or be recovered at the scene of the tragedy
 
Welcome to the flying world, ReduxFlyer!

Flying Clubs are the answer for relatively inexpensive flying, and also whole day reservations. Don't limit yourself to the closest field, include even the very small ones, as the costs to keep a plane on the small ones is much lower, and clubs and partnerships with affordable rates will be there.

Check the bulletin board at all the local airports for clubs and partnerships, The are always having turnover. At the present time, wait lists may have disappeared, too.

Others have said to "network" at the field. As a pilot, you now have access to the inner secure space at the airport, strike up conversations with any pilot (or passenger waiting for their plane to taxi up from the tie down). You may score a right seat ride with someone who is doing an out and back, and would enjoy another pilot to keep him company. They may even let you share some of the log book time if you share part of the gas for the trip.

If you do make a connection for a ride with a "stranger", go with him for his untying or removal from the hanger, and share the walk around with him. This is educational, increasing your knowledge of different planes, and also gives you a good look at the condition of the bird you are about to fly in. You get an idea of the sort of care the pilot exhibits in preflight thoroughness. You may in rare cases decide not to fly with them after a good look at the plane and pilots qualities.

If you do not go, fake a message on your phone, don't knock him or his plane. He may have many friends at the airport.
 
Congrats go out and find a good club.
 
eman1200 said:
now u get to tell cute flight attendants about how you're a pilot and how u can help in the cockpit if the pilots need you.
Click to expand...

"Cute" flight attendants? What is this of which you speak? Only flight attendants I've seen in the past 10 years are dudes and grumpy women with big hips that hit my shoulders every time they waddle by.
 
Timbeck2 said:
"Cute" flight attendants? What is this of which you speak? Only flight attendants I've seen in the past 10 years are dudes and grumpy women with big hips that hit my shoulders every time they waddle by.
Click to expand...

You gotta fly Virgin or British. Quality service.
 
ReduxFlyer said:
flying out of KFUL
Click to expand...

Who you flying with? Hopefully FunOutside or RI Flying Cub.

Anyway, get your Catalina and Big Bear sign offs done. Than head to Vegas (but don't bust the Bravo).
 
I'm sorry you live in CA. I did for some time, and it meant I had very little money on which to fly.

That said, you need to find some purpose. Why did you begin this endeavour to begin with? Find your purpose, and do the flying to support the reason.

Without a reason to fly, you'll simply become "another guy who used to fly". Almost happened to me.
 
Rgbeard said:
I'm sorry you live in CA. I did for some time, and it meant I had very little money on which to fly.

That said, you need to find some purpose. Why did you begin this endeavour to begin with? Find your purpose, and do the flying to support the reason.

Without a reason to fly, you'll simply become "another guy who used to fly". Almost happened to me.
Click to expand...

It’s a catch 22. Lived in LA for 25 years, now in the Bay Area. Would love to live somewhere else (coastal South Carolina comes to mind), but the money is too good in CA and helps pay for my flying. What to do?? Speaking of CA, I distinctly remember an RG Beard on Socalsportbikes.org. Gotta be you, right??
 
SC777 said:
It’s a catch 22. Lived in LA for 25 years, now in the Bay Area. Would love to live somewhere else (coastal South Carolina comes to mind), but the money is too good in CA and helps pay for my flying. What to do?? Speaking of CA, I distinctly remember an RG Beard on Socalsportbikes.org. Gotta be you, right??
Click to expand...

yep! That’s me.
 
Congrats! I would just rent for a bit, go fly around for fun. Go get $200 hamburgers or breakfast from airport diners. Then start working on your IR. Also -
  • Make sure you let people know you are a pilot within 10 seconds of meeting them. This is very important. Now that you are a pilot, always make sure everyone around you knows that you are a pilot.
  • Always steer conversations to something related to aviation, even if the topic is totally unrelated.
  • Someone already mentioned this, but when you fly commercial, always let the FA know that you are a pilot.... just in case they need help up there on the flight deck.
  • Also when flying commercial - make sure that you have Foreflight up and running on your iPad through all phases of the flight. And make sure you let the passengers around you know you are a pilot, in case they didn't already figure it out. (Wear your A20s/Zulus connected to your iPhone listening to LiveATC for super extra credit!)
  • Buy a Bonanza.
Seriously, congratulations! Just go rent and fly for fun for a while!
 
Congrats! I just got my ticket as well. Next step for me is instrument training - in a short while. I plan on flying VFR X Country a bit to get the needed 50 PIC X Country hours. And I need a small break from the training before I jump back in.

I was planning on renting from my school, but they've changed owners and are just about at capacity with their Part 141. Hard to find planes to rent. I'm joining a club - we will see how that works.

BTW - you mentioned there are few options for clubs for you - but you might be surprised. Keep digging and you might find one - not always the easiest to find. Ask around the FBO, etc.
 
Deelee said:
Congrats! I would just rent for a bit, go fly around for fun. Go get $200 hamburgers or breakfast from airport diners. Then start working on your IR. Also -
  • Make sure you let people know you are a pilot within 10 seconds of meeting them. This is very important. Now that you are a pilot, always make sure everyone around you knows that you are a pilot.
  • Always steer conversations to something related to aviation, even if the topic is totally unrelated.
  • Someone already mentioned this, but when you fly commercial, always let the FA know that you are a pilot.... just in case they need help up there on the flight deck.
  • Also when flying commercial - make sure that you have Foreflight up and running on your iPad through all phases of the flight. And make sure you let the passengers around you know you are a pilot, in case they didn't already figure it out. (Wear your A20s/Zulus connected to your iPhone listening to LiveATC for super extra credit!)
  • Buy a Bonanza.
Seriously, congratulations! Just go rent and fly for fun for a while!
Click to expand...

Yes, you need to get ready for your new phase in life. This is a picture of me just going to the local Albertson's grocery store the other day.

images
 
First of all... Keep doing new things. You must push your personal envelope to become a better pilot. Just be sure you're only pushing it one corner at a time!

Second... Join a flying club. If the local club has that long of a wait list, there is enough demand for another club... Go start one! The benefit of a club or other shared ownership arrangement is that you can usually schedule planes for longer spans of time, which allows you to use your certificate to go places. Those flights are what really make your ticket pay off, and they're fun and good learning experiences too!

Third... Do new things. In addition to the going places I mentioned, look around for opportunities to get instruction in other aircraft types, do endorsements, fly other categories (multi/seaplane) and classes (glider, rotor, etc), and have new experiences like aerobatics, mountain/backcountry flying, etc. This will really help you find the particular niche of aviation that's for you.

If you decide that you like going places, get the instrument rating. It's well worth it. Be sure to get enough actual IMC time to be comfortable actually using it.

Have fun and fly safe!
 
kgruber said:
Good going. One nit........

You are certificated.............not certified.
Click to expand...

I have a nit with your nit. :rolleyes: You're *both* certificated *and* certified:

certificate
verb (used with object), cer·tif·i·cat·ed, cer·tif·i·cat·ing.
  1. to furnish with or authorize by a certificate.
  2. to issue an official certificate attesting to the training, aptitude, and qualification of: to certificate a teacher.
certified
[ sur-tuh-fahyd ]
adjective
having or proved by a certificate: a certified representative.
 
Think back to your reasons for wanting to become a pilot in the first place. That will guide how to put your new certificate to good use.

In other words, fly to other cities, pick up women in bars, and enjoy superficial one-night relationships.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top